Novara
Welcome to Novara!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Novara, a city located in the heart of Piedmont, halfway between Turin and Milan. With its 101,241 inhabitants, it is the second largest city in the region after the capital, Turin.
But why visit Novara? The city is an important transit point for commercial traffic between the industrial triangle of Turin-Milan-Genoa and Switzerland, thanks to its strategically favorable location. It is also an important logistics and industrial center. The symbol of the city is the magnificent Basilica of San Gaudenzio, famous for its spectacular dome designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli.
But let's talk about the physical geography...
Physical geography
Territory
Novara is located about 50 kilometers from Milan and Turin and a few kilometers from the lakes Maggiore, d'Orta and Varese. The city is located on a small hill and is bathed by the Agogna and Terdoppio streams. The northeastern area is crossed by the Quintino Sella Canal, emissary of the Cavour Canal. Near the Bicocca neighborhood are the sources of the Arbogna-Erbognone stream.
The landscape of the irrigated Novara plain is characterized by rice cultivation and the presence of a dense irrigation network. The city center is located in a raised position a few meters above the surrounding territory, at the highest point of a Novara-Vespolate Terrace, the last moraine outpost of the Alpine glaciers.
Climate
The climate of Novara is typically temperate, characteristic of the Po Valley, with cold and foggy winters and hot and muggy summers. Rain is more abundant than in the rest of Piedmont's plains, but in recent years it has decreased. Snow, once abundant, now falls only rarely.
University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro
The University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro is based in Novara. It is a tri-polar structure shared with Alessandria and Vercelli. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, with a particular focus on science and technology.
What to see
Novara offers many tourist attractions for those who want to visit the city. The Basilica of San Gaudenzio is certainly the most representative symbol of the city. But you cannot miss a walk through the streets of the historic center, rich in religious and civil buildings of great artistic and cultural interest. Among these, the Coccia Theater and the Broletto, both located in Piazza della Repubblica, are a must-visit.
If you are passionate about history and culture, you can then visit the Civic Museum Bottini dell'Olio, the Treasury Museum of the Cathedral, the Firefighters Museum or the Civic Art Gallery. Novara is also famous for its historical festivals, such as the Novarese Festa dei Battaglioni.
Food and wine
Piedmont is famous for its cuisine, and Novara is no exception. Here you can taste typical dishes such as risotto alla novarese or paniscia, a tasty soup of rice and beans. Don't forget to also taste the delicious cheeses of the area, such as gorgonzola and taleggio. And for wine lovers, Novara offers a wide choice of high-quality wines.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Novara is an interesting and welcoming city that definitely deserves to be visited. Its strengths are its strategic location, rich historical and cultural heritage and delicious local cuisine. We look forward to hosting you for a trip to discover the beauties of the city!
